“I do not find it a recommendation. Where, pray, did Lady Sefton encounter her?”
“Oh, down at Melton Mowbray! You must know that the Seftons have been staying with Assheton Smith, at Quorndon House. Maria tells me that they were driving out there when they came upon Sherry and his bride. She tells me it was quite pretty to see Sherry — he was teaching her to ride, it seems — taking such pains over the child.”
“I imagine he might, since he married her.”
“Certainly, but I confess I am agog with curiosity to discover why he married her, since we know him to have been a pretender to Miss Milborne’s hand not a fortnight ago!”
“It is very true. Lady Sheringham told me that he had actually offered for the Milborne girl, and had been rejected. He married the Nobody from pique. There can be no other explanation.”
“Did she tell you that? Upon my word, she is a great fool, then, to be spreading such a story about! I declare it gives me a feeling of strong compassion for the poor little bride, and I shall certainly give her .vouchers for Almack’s, if Maria Sefton has not already done so!”
“Of course, if you are to take the girl up, there is no more to be said,” shrugged Mrs Burrell.
Lady Jersey gave a trill of laughter. “What, in granting her vouchers for the club? How absurd!”
“I wish you may not be taken in.”
“If I am, I shall be in Maria Sefton’s company, and I am sure I do not desire to be in better.”